Rogan vows to show no mercy

28 July 2009 – By Mark Doyle

Martin Rogan has vowed not to let Sam Sexton off the hook when they meet for the second time, at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on October 9.

In the pair’s first meeting, in May, Sexton claimed Rogan’s Commonwealth heavyweight title when, in the eighth round, referee Dave Pariss ruled, on the advice of the ringside doctor, that The Entertainer could not continue on account of the swelling around his left eye.

It was a bitterly difficult defeat for Rogan to take because he had had Sexton in all sorts of trouble in the minutes before the stoppage. Indeed, at one point, Rogie urged Parris to stop the fight because a dazed – but upright – Sexton was clearly incapable of defending himself.

It was a remarkable show of sportsmanship from the Irishman but he knows that it ultimately cost him his title and his proud undefeated record.

“Anyone who saw our fight knows that Sexton was out on his feet and ready to go when I got pulled out because of a swollen eye,” Rogan argued.

“I was one punch away from victory, and I certainly didn’t feel like a loser when I left the ring.

“Sexton is going to be toast when I catch up with him on October 9, and fans are going to be in for a treat because I won’t be holding back if I’ve got him in trouble.

“I was too nice last time out but I’m planning on a ruthless, knockout performace in October.”

Sexton, meanwhile, is well aware that Rogan is gunning for revenge but is in no doubt that he will again emerge victorious.

“I know Martin is going to be motivated ahead of our rematch and he’ll be train twice as hard to rip that title away from me,” the 25-year-old Englishman admitted.

“I know all of Rogan’s fans thought I got lucky in Belfast but the result will be the same.

“I’ll go into the trenches again and I’ll stop him again as well.

“I know exactly how to beat him now, and as long as I don’t do anything stupid then I’m going to win this fight more easily than I won the last one.”

Tickets, priced at 25 (tier), 30 (tier), 40 (central tier), 60 (floor), 100 (floor) and 150 (ringside) are available from:

Odyssey Arena Box Office 02890 739 074 www.odysseyarena.com

Ticketmaster 0870 243 4455 www.ticketmaster.ie

Frank Warren Promotions 01992 550 888 www.frankwarren.tv